Josh Krueger

[No 1 Draft Pick]

I have recently noticed a couple of posts on him and wanted to clarify a few more details. We drafted him at 31 last year (surprise?) after he made his debut with the Bays. AFC.com says he is 195cm and 91kgs (possibly more now). The website mentions his marking and athletic attributes. Obviously he had a bad injury run last year

I am interested in Crows fans thoughts on him. Will he make it REALISTICALLY in the AFL in your opinion? Has he 'class' or is he mainly the brute type (nothing wrong with that!). Is FF his probably possie in the AFL? What players does he remind you of in the game? If he doesnt produce this year will he get another contract extension?

He is 22 next year - not young by any means. Looks like he made his debut late with the Bays (for whatever reasons?). I wonder how much further development potential he has at this age.

I remember seeing Modra playing against Port in the 91 or 92 (?) Elimination Final at Footy Park. Just the way he led, his pace and marking I said to my Dad right then - this guy WILL MAKE IT at AFL level. Sometimes you can tell and I wonder what Crows fans think of Kruegers chances - not rose coloured glasses but an honest assessment

Cheers

 

[Mong]

He is 22 next year - not young by any means.

Never realised he was that old. We really need him to show something in 2005 if that's the case.


****

 

[noddy]

Never seen him play not even the few times i've been down to Adelaide to watch the Bays in the last couple of years so i know absolutely zilch about him.

 

[mymansyd]

He is 22 next year - not young by any means. Looks like he made his debut late with the Bays (for whatever reasons?). I wonder how much further development potential he has at this age.

Josh turns 22 in October next year, so technically he is 21 during next year's footy season. Just being pedantic. Heehee....

Agree, however, that this is surely his make or break year. I love his size and I love his name...could be a cult hero if he takes off...

 

[Markthirtytwo]

Josh turns 22 in October next year, so technically he is 21 during next year's footy season. Just being pedantic. Heehee....

Agree, however, that this is surely his make or break year. I love his size and I love his name...could be a cult hero if he takes off...

I hope that' s his best smile. Scare the pants off Cornes.

 

[Crowked]

Josh turns 22 in October next year, so technically he is 21 during next year's footy season. Just being pedantic. Heehee....

Agree, however, that this is surely his make or break year. I love his size and I love his name...could be a cult hero if he takes off...

I'm no Brad Pitt but 'Godamn, hes an ugly mutha'. He could be related to freddy (I bet the umpires check his fingernails pretty thouroughly), or maybe the dude in your avatar mymansyd.

 

[Jerome]

I can tell you that Josh is injury free and is training really well at the moment.

He's doing that well, Roo pointed him out to the whole group and spoke about how well Josh is training.

If he can remain injury and free and get a whole pre season under his belt, he could be a very interesting prospect for 2005.

See ya folks - I'm off to QLD for 10 days tomorrow

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Im a huge fan of Kruegs and I think he does have what it takes to become a genuine AFL player.
He hasnt played footy all his life and Im pretty sure he took the game up fairly late so I still think there is alot of improvement yet in him.

Has a great leap and mark and if given a chance I think he will become a cult hero. That photo does him no justice at all, its a bloody shocker.

He has had a problem with his disks in his back hence why he has spent so long out of the game.

He doesnt take a backward step into crashing a pack and has no fear, which may also add to his injuries. He is big enough to step straight into FF I think for the Wizard cup and see how he goes. He will always present a target and will be difficult to match up on due his size and his good mobility for a big man.
He could also help out in the ruck but I would prefer him to become a permanant forward.
He has a good leg on him, so if he can get his injuries i order I predict a big break through year for him.
Fingers crosssed anyway, glad to hear he is training well.
Have a good trip Jerome!

 

[mymansyd]

I'm no Brad Pitt but 'Godamn, hes an ugly mutha'. He could be related to freddy (I bet the umpires check his fingernails pretty thouroughly), or maybe the dude in your avatar mymansyd.

I'm no oil painting either, but geez i hope he's got more talent than looks.

Like I said before, definite cult figure in the making!

 

[Stiffy_18]

See ya folks - I'm off to QLD for 10 days tomorrow

Hop[e you have a great time mate .

Looking forward to hearing from you when you get back.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Im a huge fan of Kruegs and I think he does have what it takes to become a genuine AFL player.
He hasnt played footy all his life and Im pretty sure he took the game up fairly late so I still think there is alot of improvement yet in him.

Has a great leap and mark and if given a chance I think he will become a cult hero. That photo does him no justice at all, its a bloody shocker.

He has had a problem with his disks in his back hence why he has spent so long out of the game.

He doesnt take a backward step into crashing a pack and has no fear, which may also add to his injuries. He is big enough to step straight into FF I think for the Wizard cup and see how he goes. He will always present a target and will be difficult to match up on due his size and his good mobility for a big man.
He could also help out in the ruck but I would prefer him to become a permanant forward.
He has a good leg on him, so if he can get his injuries i order I predict a big break through year for him.
Fingers crosssed anyway, glad to hear he is training well.
Have a good trip Jerome!

What he said

I will point out that I don't think Krueger is anywhere near superstar potential btu what you got to love about him is the way he plays his footy. He LOVES a contest and if he doesn't take a mark he will split the pack.

I think he is a key forward and nothing more. He could pinch hit in the ruck if he is really desperate. If he can get his body right he can be an AFL player but at this stage its a reasonably big if.

Jerome's post is encouraging. If Freddy can have a full pre-season and keep his body in good nick, he could very well be the player that steps up next year. I think his style of play could very well make him a cult figure.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Never realised he was that old. We really need him to show something in 2005 if that's the case.


****

So how old was Modra when he started with the Crows??
If Iam correct, around the same age - too many people are hung up on age IMO - Its like if you haven;t made it by 21 its over - absolutely incorrect!

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I can tell you that Josh is injury free and is training really well at the moment.

He's doing that well, Roo pointed him out to the whole group and spoke about how well Josh is training.

If he can remain injury and free and get a whole pre season under his belt, he could be a very interesting prospect for 2005.

See ya folks - I'm off to QLD for 10 days tomorrow

Was similar last year, but his body gave way - hopefully this year his body is more atuned to the rigours of PS training.

If he plays as well as he sounds

 

[Mong]

So how old was Modra when he started with the Crows??
If Iam correct, around the same age - too many people are hung up on age IMO - Its like if you haven;t made it by 21 its over - absolutely incorrect!

I am not saying he has to have made it at AFL level by that age, but the guy hasn't even established himself at SANFL league level yet. I'd like to see some 'signs' in the near future.


****

 

[Stiffy_18]

Was similar last year, but his body gave way - hopefully this year his body is more atuned to the rigours of PS training.

If he plays as well as he sounds

Correct.

He was flying before the christmas break and started off well when he came back and them he copped that really nasty back injury that threatened to cut his sport career short.

Luckily he appears to have recovered from that and did play some very good games for the tigers last year. He did have a couple of soft tissue injuries towards the end of last season but IMHO that expected considering he couldn't to a hell of a lot to keep himself fit with the back injury he had.

I reckon Freddy would have been working his backside off during the break to get his fitness up. I am just hoping and praying that he can have a big pre-season. With a big, injury-free pre-season under his belt anything can happen and I mean ANYTHING.

He has showed some excellent signs at times in SANFL but he does need to show something this year at the AFL level.

And I agree you that 22 is not old at all. Plenty of exceptional players started playing in their 20s.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I am not saying he has to have made it at AFL level by that age, but the guy hasn't even established himself at SANFL league level yet. I'd like to see some 'signs' in the near future.


****

Thats fair!
Hopefully he doesn't break down gets a full PS and gets into AFL fitness levels (which he would have lost his fitness base last year) and plays some Wizard Cup games.

 

[macca23]

Was similar last year, but his body gave way - hopefully this year his body is more atuned to the rigours of PS training.

If he plays as well as he sounds

Correct. He stood out at training last year. I was really looking forward to big things from him, and he ended up barely hitting the track all year.

I really hope he does stand up, because he does look an exciting prospect. He's very athletic for his size.

 

[Crow-mosone]

So how old was Modra when he started with the Crows??
If Iam correct, around the same age - too many people are hung up on age IMO - Its like if you haven;t made it by 21 its over - absolutely incorrect!

Spot on, I think (?) Primus was that age or maybe older before he started, having been rejected as a junior down at Geelong.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Spoke with somone who is an association of Kruegs and he has been working his arse off over the off season and early pre season, he has been doing alot of extra drills. However he has lost a bit of weight due to him not being able to do a hell of alot of gym work due to his back. This problems seems to of sorted itself out now so he really looking forward to the season.

He really wants to make the most of his opportunity and is determined to do this, with extra sessions, given up drinking and being totally commited.

All signs look good so far.

 

[Mad Dog]

I'm no Brad Pitt but 'Godamn, hes an ugly mutha'. He could be related to freddy (I bet the umpires check his fingernails pretty thouroughly), or maybe the dude in your avatar mymansyd.

You do know his Dad's name is Freddy don't you ??....true story

 

[Crowked]

You do know his Dad's name is Freddy don't you ??....true story

A striking resemblence in deed.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Spoke with somone who is an association of Kruegs and he has been working his arse off over the off season and early pre season, he has been doing alot of extra drills. However he has lost a bit of weight due to him not being able to do a hell of alot of gym work due to his back. This problems seems to of sorted itself out now so he really looking forward to the season.

He really wants to make the most of his opportunity and is determined to do this, with extra sessions, given up drinking and being totally commited.

All signs look good so far.

Thats fantastic news, moreso the fact of the sacrifices he's prepared to make to be successful

 

[Stiffy_18]

Thats fantastic news, moreso the fact of the sacrifices he's prepared to make to be successful

My thoughts exactly

 

[WaynesWorld19]

If a tall like Krueger can stand up and play a few games this year it will make all the difference to the sides balance.

Now we need some of the fringe midfielders in Ladhams and Schuback to grab the opportunity thats b4 them.

 

[Stiffy_18]

If a tall like Krueger can stand up and play a few games this year it will make all the difference to the sides balance.

Now we need some of the fringe midfielders in Ladhams and Schuback to grab the opportunity thats b4 them.

True on both counts.

If we can have another tall (eg Krueger) step up and play a few games it would give us more flexibility.

Ladhams at his best makes our best 18 EASILY. He just has to get his attitude right. He really is capable of being a match winner both in the forward line or in the midfield. If he can get himself in the "mood" then he could be THAT "mid-age" player that we are looking for. He is still capable of averaging 20 odd possesions and 1-2 goals per game. Its just a question of whether he wants it or not. When I go back anf watch his "6 week bursts" in both 2002 and 2003, I realise just how good this lad could be.

As much as I am a bit of a Schuback fan, I think this is his make or break year. He really needs to nail it in 2005 or he can kiss his AFL career goodbye.